Honda Plug-in Hybrid Platform - 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show

By KBB.com Editors on November 19, 2010 3:25 PM

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Honda's second meaningful corporate reveal at the LA Auto Show, the Plug-in Hybrid Platform, shows the basic architecture the automaker is developing for use in "mid-size and larger vehicles." While not prepared to directly confirm a specific model, Takanobu Ito, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO, did say the first application will be in a mid-size sedan (think next-gen Civic) due to hit showrooms here in 2012. While a fair amount of detail was left to speculation, Ito indicated the plug-in package will be "compatible with daily driving habits, allowing for short, frequent trips in all-electric mode while providing long-distance, fuel-efficient driving capability when needed."

Honda's next-gen two-motor hybrid system consists of a 2.0-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder Atkinson cycle gasoline engine matched with a 120kW (161 horsepower) electric motor that's linked to a 6wKh lithium-ion battery pack and drives the front wheels via a electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT). This super-efficient plug-in package is capable of operating in three modes: Electric-only, gasoline direct-drive and gas-electric. Pure EV mode is reportedly good for 10-15 miles of city driving and a top speed of 62 mph. Hybrid mode is designed for a bit more energetic motoring while the gas-only direct-drive is optimized for high-speed cruising. One particularly appealing facet of this new Honda plug-in package is its quick recharging time. Full replenishment will take 2-2.5 hours on a standard 110V line and 1-1.5 hours using a 240V outlet.